Syria rebels take Idlib province as army retreats

Many families fled after the Fattah Army captured Ariha, afraid of government's reaction to its loss [Reuters]

Doha, Qatar- Syrian fighters have seized the last government-controlled town in the country's northwestern province after government forces retreated to their coastal bases, according to activists and a monitoring group.

A Syrian coalition known as the Fattah Army seized the town of Ariha on Thursday, giving the group full control of Idlib province.

The Fattah Army is made up of several armed groups, notably the Nusra Front.

Hadi al-Abdallah, a Syrian activist reporting from Ariha, told Al Jazeera that dozens of Syrian soldiers were killed in the clashes.

Syrian rebels capture last regime held town in Idlib

"The Syrian army retreated from Ariha and the Fattah Army managed to attack at least three government tanks as they fled the city, leaving tens of government soldiers killed," Abdallah said.

"Government soldiers retreated to several cities outside Idlib province, and the Fattah Army now have full control of the city following major losses to the Syrian regime."